Several leading US industry groups, including the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and the Consumer Brands Association (CBA), have applauded the new United States-European Union Framework on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade.

In a joint statement, the heads of the AAFA and CFDA, Steve Lamar and Steven Kolb, respectively, thanked US President Donald J Trump and EU President Ursula von der Leyen. They highlighted, the new 15 per cent reciprocal rate will not be an additional charge on top of existing most-favored-nation (MFN) tariffs, which would provide significant relief to the American fashion industry. This industry has long struggled with high duties on imported materials, equipment, and finished products.

Lamar and Kolb also urged the US government to apply this ‘non-stacking concept’ to future trade deals. They emphasized, this would help the fashion industry, which supports over 10 million US workers, to continue to design, produce, and sell apparel, footwear, and accessories.

Melissa Hockstad, President and CEO, CBA, also praised the deal. She stated, the agreement will reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers for American companies. Hockstad noted, the administration's acknowledgment of the need for natural resources from the EU is a crucial step in a ‘common-sense America First trade policy’ that will benefit both manufacturers and consumers.

Finally, she stressed that as the largest domestic manufacturing employer, the consumer-packaged goods industry is pushing for a quick implementation of the ambitious trade deal.